Cultivate Your Farming Potential

Take advantage of Just Food's Start-Up Farm Program to launch your own new farm project in 2014. Register now for fall farmer training workshops.

Start-Up Farm Program applications for 2014 are now open at JustFood.ca until October 31st, 2013.

In 2013, Just Food established the Start-Up Farm Program to support new farmers in the Ottawa region to start their own farm projects. Program participants can access up to 3 years of on-site support at the Just Food Farm in the Ottawa Greenbelt. This includes access to land, shared infrastructure and equipment, and training. The program also offers training to any new producers in the area, at a per-course fee.

The Start-Up Farm Program offers a low-risk way for new farmers to test their business ideas and to develop additional skills, experience and networks before committing to a larger, longer-term farm operation. The program offers an entry point for a diversity of new farmers, including those from a non-farm background, new Canadians, and those with farm experience in other settings. This program has received seed funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the City of Ottawa, and Beau's All-Natural Brewing Company.

If you would like to learn more, we invite you to attend a Start-Up Farm Program Information Session on Wednesday, September 18th from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Just Food Farm (2389 Pepin Court). To register for this session, or if you have questions about the program, please contact Leela Ramachandran, Manager of Farm Programs at leela@justfood.ca or 613-699-8650 ext. 15.

Fall Farmer Training Workshops: Exploring the New Farm Dream and Business Planning

As part of our Start-Up Farm Program, Just Food offers a series of training workshops to all new and re-strategizing/transitioning farmers in the Ottawa region. Two new courses will be offered this fall:

Exploring the New Farm Dream - Is Starting An Agricultural Business Right For You? is designed to help aspiring farmers to learn what is involved in starting their own farm, and to decide whether this is a path they want to pursue. Business Planning for Start-Up Farmers is for new farmers who have already committed to or begun farming, and are ready for more detailed business planning.